LETTER TO THE EDITOR - January 19, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 259-1145

With impending election violence in Iraq, Migrants, advocates continue call on PGMA to withdraw support to US war in Iraq to save OFW Robert Tarongoy

We renew our call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to heed our ongoing international petition to save the life of overseas Filipino worker Robert Tarongoy by withdrawing support to the United States' occupation in Iraq.

All 364 signatories and the organizations they represent in the international petition to President Macapagal-Arroyo have a lot to worry about with the impending election scenario in US-occupied Iraq on January 30.

The people have the right to know what is happening to Tarongoy and all Filipinos in Iraq. Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo must update us on the real conditions of Tarongoy and situation of other OFWs in the war-torn nation. With the increased violence in the rundown to the elections, the safety of Tarongoy is again to be greatly compromised. Her silence betrays an utter contempt for OFWs.

We all wonder if Malacanang is serious in efforts to get Tarongoy and all Filipino workers safely home with the upscale trend of violence in Iraq, especially with the coming elections on January 30.

The bulk of the 6,000 Filipino civilians working in Iraq are employed by contractors for US and its allied companies in US military bases that are legitimate targets of Iraqi rebels. Tarongoy and all OFWs in the war-torn nation will all the more be endangered in the upcoming elections. #